Search found 434 matches

by AlexB
Thu May 02, 2024 3:02 pm
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: Document Expiration Date - Is it possible?
Replies: 10
Views: 341

Re: Document Expiration Date - Is it possible?

I would say it's possible with PDM, but not out of the box. You could implement a custom task add-in and schedule it to run daily to do any file cleanup or destruction I suppose but you would have to code that all from scratch and test it to meet all your use cases. As for other options, I'm really ...
by AlexB
Tue Apr 30, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: CAD Admin (Install, PDM, etc)
Topic: PDM, How to check in/undo checkout on all files in a duplicate (test) vault?
Replies: 2
Views: 221

Re: PDM, How to check in/undo checkout on all files in a duplicate (test) vault?

I've duplicated our production vault but didn't bring any files with it. The only files I copied over were the add-ins from the vault\0\plugins folder in the archive server. I was able to follow a tutorial I found where I create an empty vault and then restore the production database onto the new va...
by AlexB
Tue Apr 30, 2024 8:30 am
Forum: API
Topic: VBA PDM TASK and PDM Document ID
Replies: 5
Views: 199

Re: VBA PDM TASK and PDM Document ID

The ID within the sql server is the same as the IEdmFile5.ID property. Convert this value to hex and you have your folder name.
image.png
by AlexB
Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:15 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Modeling threads for 3D printing
Replies: 4
Views: 265

Re: Modeling threads for 3D printing

I may be misunderstanding but would increasing the hole major diameter or decrease the threaded rod major diameter help? It would essentially keep the same thread profile but create clearance by changing the diameters of the mating parts.
by AlexB
Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:48 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: Improving the look/usability of the SWYMP Without Dassault Lifting a Finger
Replies: 12
Views: 809

Re: Improving the look/usability of the SWYMP Without Dassault Lifting a Finger

I hadn't realized how much of a difference small changes like this would make. Good work!
by AlexB
Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:08 pm
Forum: Macro Library
Topic: DXF/DWG Model View Export
Replies: 15
Views: 960

Re: DXF/DWG Model View Export

Macros for exporting to flat patterns can get a bit complicated. In the past, I've approached this by creating a drawing and hiding/removing all of the title block information, border, etc. Then I add a view to the drawing using IDrawingDoc:CreateFlatPatternViewFromModelView3 to place my flat patter...
by AlexB
Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: 2D Drawings
Topic: BOM custom property
Replies: 2
Views: 276

Re: BOM custom property

In my opinion, the engineering drawing should be a separate resource than what the assembling personnel use. They should have a work instruction that details each step in the correct order with callouts for torque, loctite, and other process specific information. I understand the thought process beh...
by AlexB
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:28 am
Forum: API
Topic: PDM Checkin with API
Replies: 7
Views: 331

Re: PDM Checkin with API

@alexb I took the argument as supplied by sw kb solution in the task script sample. when I looked at the api help I was a bit perplexed as there should be 4 arguments, while the sw devs were supplIng only tje last two, but it works perfectly and the comment is left in the file history after the che...
by AlexB
Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:41 am
Forum: API
Topic: PDM Checkin with API
Replies: 7
Views: 331

Re: PDM Checkin with API

Unless the admin account missed that permission on the status I am testing that macro on, the problem could be ...elsewhere? If the permission is not a problem do you think setting 64 alone would be sufficient to trigger the latest version overwrite? Yes, if used as the 3rd argument for the UnlockF...
by AlexB
Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:22 am
Forum: API
Topic: PDM Checkin with API
Replies: 7
Views: 331

Re: PDM Checkin with API

You'll have to check and make sure you have permissions in PDM to do so. Can you verify this settings is checked for your PDM account via the admin tool? image.png Additionally, you are using the arguments in the incorrect order. You've passed 64 in as the window handle, not the flag argument. Funct...
by AlexB
Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:58 pm
Forum: SW Simulation
Topic: a sharing violation occurred when accessing an unnamed file
Replies: 5
Views: 459

Re: a sharing violation occurred when accessing an unnamed file

SPerman wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:14 pm I typically do all of my simulation work outside of PDM to avoid this problem.
It's also a good idea to make sure the place your simulation files are being saved is not also being backed up by OneDrive or something similar.
by AlexB
Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:04 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: Copied sheet and ballons
Replies: 11
Views: 543

Re: Copied sheet and ballons

How do you link a BOM to multiple configurations? I only see a drop down list that allows you to select a single configuration. image.png You would un-check this options. It appears to only work on "top-level only" BOMs though as others have mentioned. image.png Then you will have the opt...
by AlexB
Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:39 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Copied sheet and ballons
Replies: 11
Views: 543

Re: Copied sheet and ballons

The BOM may also need to have multiple configurations activated in order to reference parts in a second config that may not be present in the original configuration.
by AlexB
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:19 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: administrative image customized machine configuration
Replies: 3
Views: 320

Re: administrative image customized machine configuration

the settings reverted back every time I closed the option screen. This is my experience as well. It's happened with several settings in both the image options editor as well as the admin settings tool. The admin image stuff needs to be completely assessed by SW but I don't see that happening with a...
by AlexB
Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:19 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: administrative image customized machine configuration
Replies: 3
Views: 320

Re: administrative image customized machine configuration

I had found that if an installation was using an administrator settings file from a previous admin image then that essentially overrode the one for the new admin image that I was trying to deploy. This was apparent when the hole wizard location wasn't updated between versions for a few users. After ...
by AlexB
Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:10 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Home screen and default templates
Replies: 12
Views: 517

Re: Home screen and default templates

Yeah my file names are not the default either and it's pointing to PDM so they're not in the "Default" location. I've removed the default location from the "File Locations -> Document Templates" file location setting as well.

This is an odd one to sort out for sure
by AlexB
Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:01 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Home screen and default templates
Replies: 12
Views: 517

Re: Home screen and default templates

They do not use the default templates defined in system options, I just tried and it used the default SolidWorks template rather then my custom one. That's interesting... I'm using 2023 SP5.0 and those open my defined default templates. Do you still have the default templates listed in c:\Program D...
by AlexB
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: CAD Admin (Install, PDM, etc)
Topic: Files with blank State & Workflow
Replies: 7
Views: 830

Re: Files with blank State & Workflow

That's a bit odd. Do you have any more details on what was involved in the delete and recover operation? I've restored vaults in the past and never encountered anything odd like this so I'm curious about how it was done. This will help me reproduce it if possible. Also, I highly recommend against di...
by AlexB
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:37 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Home screen and default templates
Replies: 12
Views: 517

Re: Home screen and default templates

Those buttons open up the default templates that you define in your system options (Tools -> Options -> System Options -> Default Templates). If those point to a custom template of each type then there shouldn't be too much of an issue. Otherwise, clicking "Advanced" will show all the temp...
by AlexB
Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:59 am
Forum: Macro Library
Topic: Access to Component "File Properties" Through Assembly & Drawing Without Opening the Component
Replies: 1
Views: 365

Re: Access to Component "File Properties" Through Assembly & Drawing Without Opening the Component

This example shows how to get a component within the drawing view. You could also explicitly select it and use the GetSelectedObject functionality and cast the current selection as needed. https://help.solidworks.com/2018/english/api/sldworksapi/get_components_properties_in_drawing_view_example_vb.h...
by AlexB
Mon Mar 04, 2024 3:47 pm
Forum: Kitty Dump
Topic: Watercooler Talk
Replies: 1378
Views: 136420

Re: Watercooler Talk

Instead of enjoying the nice weather here in NC, I did something stupid and got to spend the last few hours in the ER waiting to get staples in my head. Did it involve cutting down a tree? I heard a few horror stories today about people trying to cut down trees resulting in injuries or ER visits...
by AlexB
Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:19 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Body Mass in Part
Replies: 10
Views: 468

Re: Body Mass in Part

I think this is what you're looking for. You would have to pre-select the components you would like measured before calling this method.

https://help.solidworks.com/2016/englis ... ties2.html
by AlexB
Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:44 am
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: New SOLIDWORKS PDM 2023 "Get" log
Replies: 7
Views: 347

Re: New SOLIDWORKS PDM 2023 "Get" log

Thanks @AlexB and @jcapriotti. Now for my next question... Has anyone used that information to create a kind of report (dashboard) of this information? Or could someone direct me how to accomplish something like this? It depends on what you want to see in the report, but it's possible. If you can w...
by AlexB
Tue Feb 13, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: New SOLIDWORKS PDM 2023 "Get" log
Replies: 7
Views: 347

Re: New SOLIDWORKS PDM 2023 "Get" log

It appears to be a table in the SQL database. I can't recall if the table existed before but I doubt it.
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image.png (11.22 KiB) Viewed 328 times
by AlexB
Fri Feb 09, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Assembly opens lightweight
Replies: 3
Views: 216

Re: Assembly opens lightweight

I think you'll want to check this section of the Performance options
image.png
image.png (11.97 KiB) Viewed 212 times
by AlexB
Tue Feb 06, 2024 1:28 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: SOLIDWORKS Top Ten List - Curated List of Ideas for Busy Users
Replies: 50
Views: 4010

Re: SOLIDWORKS Top Ten List - Curated List of Ideas for Busy Users

Duplicate ideas are generally caught and filtered as "out". Yeah, I had one in there telling them that the "Settings Editor" for the "Admin Options Editor" to configure Admin images doesn't work. The options you set aren't the options that get applied. It's been this w...
by AlexB
Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:36 pm
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area
Replies: 10
Views: 889

Re: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area

A quick hack to restart the PDM process that I've used before is to:
1. Kill the EdmServer.exe task in the task manager
2. Select the Explorer.exe process and restart it

This is similar to logging out of your windows account and then back in.
by AlexB
Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area
Replies: 10
Views: 889

Re: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area

This could also help KB QA00000122248
image.png
by AlexB
Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:56 am
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area
Replies: 10
Views: 889

Re: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area

SPerman wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:50 am It is not hidden, I have all icons showing.
Is "EdmServer.exe" showing in your task manager details page?

Also, is it still enabled in "Startup Apps"?
by AlexB
Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area
Replies: 10
Views: 889

Re: PDM Icon missing from Notification Area

Right click taskbar and choose "Taskbar Settings". Browse down to "Other system tray icons" and make sure that either "Hidden icon menu" is turned on or that "Solidworks PDM" is turned on.

Edit: messed up on vs off
by AlexB
Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:28 am
Forum: API
Topic: WasResolved from Get6 (CustomPropertyManager)
Replies: 4
Views: 673

Re: WasResolved from Get6 (CustomPropertyManager)

The remarks section on the help page explain the scenarios where the resolved value can return false
https://help.solidworks.com/2018/englis ... ~get6.html
by AlexB
Thu Jan 25, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: API
Topic: version control for macro development
Replies: 9
Views: 882

Re: version control for macro development

I've migrated all of my projects to c# using visual studio community for development and github for version control. Github is a game changer when compared to storage of copies on a network drive. I do have some .swp macros and those are stored in a PDM folder that users cache latest on login. Macro...
by AlexB
Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:26 am
Forum: How To Questions
Topic: Help on project
Replies: 13
Views: 1129

Re: Help on project

Hello, I have a drawing assignment for university and I've never had any doubts about drawing from 3D perspectives, but now I have one because I really can't imagine this in 3D. This is probably intentional to make it look like an envelope in the upper left view. However, the upper triangular porti...
by AlexB
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:28 am
Forum: Kitty Dump
Topic: Watercooler Talk
Replies: 1378
Views: 136420

Re: Watercooler Talk

dave.laban wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:16 am I don't think I'd be very happy if my VAR posted my name, company and full license number online for all to see. <()>
That's just... wow. <()>
by AlexB
Wed Jan 17, 2024 9:19 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: 2023 SP5 is now available
Replies: 41
Views: 4970

Re: 2023 SP5 is now available

I haven't encountered anything major, however I just switched to a Win11 system from Win10 at the same time so that part wasn't much fun. We've been using 2023 for about 3 weeks as a company and I haven't had any issues from our users. Minor quirk - Design checker files no longer work when they're s...
by AlexB
Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:09 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Subscription cost increase
Replies: 31
Views: 3263

Re: Subscription cost increase

We just got our invoice to renew and the Solidworks licenses all have a 25% increase. It was 15% last year as well. All of this is ridiculous. Our renewal cost is twice what it was 7 or 8 or so years ago...
by AlexB
Tue Jan 09, 2024 8:36 am
Forum: CAD Agnostic
Topic: Generating files (STEP, DXF, PDF, etc...)
Replies: 10
Views: 2750

Re: Generating files (STEP, DXF, PDF, etc...)

Prior to using PDM to perform these conversions, we actually had a custom add-in that output everything to a common directory on a server. This did require the engineer to run it and export these files when it was "done". It allows the user to select multiple file formats to export from th...
by AlexB
Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: CAD Agnostic
Topic: Generating files (STEP, DXF, PDF, etc...)
Replies: 10
Views: 2750

Re: Generating files (STEP, DXF, PDF, etc...)

I don't think you'll get around the need for a license to create PDF, STEP, etc. files. The way we handle things is that we trigger a PDM Task on a standalone virtual host PC when a drawing is issued. It automatically creates the PDF and places it where it needs to be. Any part file that is issued w...
by AlexB
Thu Jan 04, 2024 4:11 pm
Forum: CAD Admin (Install, PDM, etc)
Topic: SNL, Solidworks 2024 is not supported on Windows Server 2016
Replies: 4
Views: 1694

Re: SNL, Solidworks 2024 is not supported on Windows Server 2016

Yeah, their website shows that Server 2016 support stops prior to SW 2024.

In the past, I've reached out to my VAR and they gave me a 30 day license key for a trial of the next version of SW. That may be the easiest method.
by AlexB
Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:27 pm
Forum: Macro Library
Topic: Revision control app macro (release)
Replies: 26
Views: 9304

Re: Revision control app macro (release)

If you have any suggestions on how to solve this, I would love to hear it - it would be great to have individual revisions for different configs, but I just don't know how to implement that. The way that PDM does this is to load the latest referenced version and hope for the best. There's no good w...
by AlexB
Wed Jan 03, 2024 9:42 am
Forum: CAD Admin (Install, PDM, etc)
Topic: PDM, Is there a user/group state permission to list file but not allow caching it?
Replies: 10
Views: 2177

Re: PDM, Is there a user/group state permission to list file but not allow caching it?

I don't remember what exactly I was doing when I discovered that it's possible to have certain states that users can see and others that they cannot by toggling the "Read File Contents" permission. If at least one state gives them permission to "Read File Contents" then they can ...
by AlexB
Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:19 am
Forum: API
Topic: Filtering PDM menu command
Replies: 2
Views: 616

Re: Filtering PDM menu command

I don't think there's a way to disable a menu command. I would recommend performing a validation of the selection once a user clicks that command before running the STP conversion on a file. A couple of examples: 1. If the selection contains a non-sldprt file then pop up an error that says the user ...
by AlexB
Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:39 pm
Forum: General Engineering and Design
Topic: General PDM Recommendations
Replies: 6
Views: 2445

Re: General PDM Recommendations

The only one that I have any history with for and document revision control functionality is called MasterControl. Now, I don't know the pricing since it's not freely available so it may not fit your budget. The key things I remember it doing are allowing approval workflows based on document type / ...
by AlexB
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: Parent is checked out and cannot rollback
Replies: 9
Views: 1595

Re: Parent is checked out and cannot rollback

Is it possible to make that setting the default? I believe that once you change it for you then it remembers those choices on your vault view. If you want to share the setting with others then I think the only way is to compile a registry update file to modify the necessary keys. However, I have no...
by AlexB
Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:43 am
Forum: API
Topic: PDM: ChangeState3 Not Accepting Pwd After Win10 Reversion
Replies: 3
Views: 840

Re: PDM: ChangeState3 Not Accepting Pwd After Win10 Reversion

When using VB.NET or c# in Visual Studio, make sure that your referenced solidworks DLLs have the 'Embed Interop Types' set to 'False'. Also, be sure that, within your project properties, the option 'Prefer 32-bit' is not checked. I've found these two things account for 95% of my headaches when star...
by AlexB
Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: SolidWorks PDM
Topic: Parent is checked out and cannot rollback
Replies: 9
Views: 1595

Re: Parent is checked out and cannot rollback

I hadn't realized that the parent being checked out prevented rollback so I learned something today. The best way I've seen to check the parent files is to use the Where Used tab and make sure the "Version" is set to "<<All Versions>>" and on the right-hand side make sure the sel...
by AlexB
Thu Dec 07, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Kitty Dump
Topic: Watercooler Talk
Replies: 1378
Views: 136420

Re: Watercooler Talk

I was actually pleasantly surprised to see the swamp revive @Glenn Schroeder's FAQs that disappeared in the forum transfer. It's a very small step in the right direction at least.

https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexp ... GizC2DZsSw
by AlexB
Wed Dec 06, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: API
Topic: How do I know that you are FLAT-PATTERN?
Replies: 22
Views: 4158

Re: How do I know that you are FLAT-PATTERN?

Is the method of getting all the bodies of a component and checking them on "are you a child of a sheet metal feature" worse than GetBendState? If, before this function, I also check that the part is definitely not in a lightweight (in general, before checking, solve all lightweight compo...
by AlexB
Wed Dec 06, 2023 8:14 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: use 4K TV for monitor
Replies: 20
Views: 4052

Re: use 4K TV for monitor

I tried a curved monitor and found it useless for cad. Everything was distorted and it made my brain hurt. I use curved monitors at work and don't mind them at all. If they're at eye level then everything is good. It's when you've got someone looking over your shoulder reviewing something with you ...
by AlexB
Tue Dec 05, 2023 2:04 pm
Forum: API
Topic: SolidWorks Save as PDF macro - description and toggle of "View PDF after Saving"
Replies: 9
Views: 1183

Re: SolidWorks Save as PDF macro - description and toggle of "View PDF after Saving"

CarrieIves here's a minimal example of what to do to export your sheets. If you are specifying sheet names then un-comment the lines that have vSheets in it. Option Explicit Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks Sub main() Dim swModel As ModelDoc2 Dim swDraw As DrawingDoc Dim swModelDocExt As ModelDocExte...